Ruth Rauls represents management in employment disputes before federal and state courts, as well as federal and state agencies. Her extensive litigation experience includes cases at the trial and appellate levels in New Jersey and New York, as well as in private mediations and arbitrations. She litigates claims arising under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, and various other statutory and common law causes of action.
Ruth draws on her litigation experience to help large and small companies alike identify potential legal issues and to provide support for internal decision making that affects their business operations. This includes advice on preventative practices to minimize workplace disputes, including accommodation and harassment issues.
[read-more]
Employers also look to her for advice on personnel actions, including drafting employment agreements and conducting internal investigations on various workplace matters.
Ruth is well versed in regulatory compliance and internal and external investigations under federal, state and local laws, including sexual harassment, whistleblower and retaliation issues. Depending on the needs of the client, Ruth can conduct an internal investigation or work side by side with the client to provide guidance along the way.
Ruth also works with clients to develop workplace policies, practices and procedures, including medical cannabis and drug testing policies, employee handbooks and policy manuals. Ruth advises clients on compliance with the continuing changes and updates to state law, including specifically the state law and state court decisions addressing cannabis use by employees in both medical and adult use states.
Ruth has been named a "Local Litigation Star" in New Jersey by Benchmark Litigation since 2025.
Labor and Employment Matters
Select examples of Ruth's experience include:
- Successfully argued the confirmation of a multi-million dollar arbitration award in the New York Appellate Division, First Department.
- Provides employment law training to national and regional leaders in the cannabis, health care, and food and beverage industries.
- Performs internal investigations regarding allegations of employment-related matters, including discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
- Presents webinars and live training sessions to HR teams and in-house legal departments across various industries on matters ranging from drug testing related to cannabis to leaves of absence under the FMLA and ADA.
- Obtained a preliminary injunction in New Jersey state court enforcing a restrictive covenant in an employment contract.
- Develops employee handbooks and policies across many industries including accommodation, harassment, BYOD and social media policies.
- Drafts non-compete agreements and executive employment agreements for companies across many industries.
- New Jersey
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Firm Involvement
- Member, Executive Committee
- Liaison to the Senior Attorney Resource Group
- Chair, Labor & Employment Practice
Degrees
- J.D., Rutgers University School of Law - Newark
- B.A., B.S., Saint Louis University
Honors & Awards
- Ruth A. Rauls was named a "Local Litigation Star" in New Jersey by Benchmark Litigation, 2025 to present. Learn more about Benchmark Litigation’s selection methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Named to the NJBIZ Best 50 Women in Business list, 2023
- Ruth A. Rauls was named one of "America's Leading Lawyers in Labor and Employment Law" by Chambers USA, 2023 to present. Learn more about the methodology used by Chambers for its rankings. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Ruth A. Rauls was named a "Labor and Employment Star" for the Northeast by Benchmark Litigation's Labor & Employment guide, 2019 to 2024. Learn more about Benchmark Litigation’s selection methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Ruth A. Rauls was named a "Future Star" in New Jersey by Benchmark Litigation, 2018 to 2024. Learn more about Benchmark Litigation’s selection methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Ruth A. Rauls was named a "Top Litigator Under 40" by Benchmark Litigation, 2017 to 2020. Learn more about Benchmark Litigation’s selection methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Named to the Executive Women of New Jersey's Trailblazing Policy Makers List, 2022
- Named to the NJBIZ Leaders in Law list, 2022
- Named to mg Magazine's "13 Ladies Who Litigate" list, 2022
- Selected to the New Leaders of the Bar list, The New Jersey Law Journal, 2017
- Ruth A. Rauls was selected to the 2013-2021 list of Rising Stars by New Jersey Super Lawyers. Learn more about the Super Lawyers selection methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Clerkship
- Honorable Thomas N. Lyons, New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division
Professional Involvement
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- Cannabis Law Committee Member, 2019-2023
- Executive Committee Member, 2019-2023
- Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Subcommittee, 2020-2023
- Member, District Ethics Committee
- Former Barrister, The John C. Lifland American Inn of Court
- New York State Bar Association
Community Connections
- Former Member, Board of Directors, Dress for Success Mercer County